Pacific Northwest Insect Management Handbook

Christmas tree (True fir)-Balsam twig aphid

  • Twitter logo
  • Facebook logo

Mindarus abietinus

Pest description and crop damage Small, yellow-green aphids with woolly exudates attack new terminals.

See table:

Hosts and Symptoms of Major Aphid and Adelgid Pests of Christmas Trees

Management-chemical control

  • afidopyropen (Ventigra) (Subgroup 9D)-Not permitted in Oregon
  • bifenthrin (OnyxPro, Sniper and others) (Group 3)-Restricted use pesticide
  • carbaryl (Sevin and others) (Group 1)
  • cyantraniliprole (Mainspring GNL) (Group 28)
  • cyclaniliprole (Group 28) + flonicamid (Group 29)-Pradia
  • dinotefuran (Safari 20 SG) (Group 4)
  • esfenvalerate (Asana XL and others) (Group 3)-Restricted use.
  • flupyradifurone (Sivanto Prime) (Group 4)
  • imidacloprid (Montana, Nuprid 4F and others) (Group 4)
  • insecticidal soaps and oils (Ecotec, M-pede, Ultra-Pure Oil, 440 Superior Oil, and others)-Some formulations are OMRI-listed for organic production. Note: Some oils may cause discoloration.
  • pymetrozine (Endeavor and others) (Group 9)
  • spirotetramat (Ultor, Movento) (Group 23)
  • sulfoxaflor (Transform WG) (Group 4c)
  • thiamethoxam (Flagship 25 WG) (Group 4)

Management-biological control

  • aphid predators (Aphidoletes aphidimyza, Aphidius spp., Hippodamia spp., Chrysopa spp.)-Consider attracting predators with forage plantings as keeping some species of predators on-site has challenged growers.
  • Beauveria bassiana (BotaniGard ES)

See:

Biological control of Nursery Pests

Kaur, N. (Ed.). 2023 Pacific Northwest Insect Management Handbook.
© Oregon State University.

Use pesticides safely!

  • Wear protective clothing and safety devices as recommended on the label. Bathe or shower after each use.
  • Read the pesticide label—even if you’ve used the pesticide before. Follow closely the instructions on the label (and any other directions you have).
  • Be cautious when you apply pesticides. Know your legal responsibility as a pesticide applicator. You may be liable for injury or damage resulting from pesticide use.

Trade-name products and services are mentioned as illustrations only. This does not mean that the participating Extension Services endorse these products and services or that they intend to discriminate against products and services not mentioned.